Village News and Events

in Boxted and Langham

In the Departure Lounge

If you’ve booked a holiday abroad and are lucky enough to be able to go given the current travelling restrictions, or if you’ve decided to have a ‘staycation’ this year, you might find Brian Bilston’s words a useful reminder that romance isn’t dead except, maybe, when it comes to remembering household chores!
In the departure lounge,
she drew him near,
then softly whispered in his ear,
not words of parting’s sweet, sweet sorrow,
but “don’t forget the bins tomorrow”.

BRIAN BILSTON

School’s out for summer!

Below: Classrooms are empty now. We won’t make any comments about skeleton staff!

If you’d like to read the latest newsletter published by St Peter’s CofE Primary School, click here to download .

Finally, there’s a  message from Patsy Ann Maggs, a Boxted School Governor. She writes:

“Another consequence of the pandemic is that our two village primary schools are working extra hard to help children catch up on their learning. In particular, they would welcome some extra help to hear children read. Could you commit to visiting one of the schools for a couple of hours a week for a year starting in September? You would need a routine DBS check and the teachers would, of course, give you some guidelines. If you would like to help, please contact me on  maggs_family@btinternet.com ”

Dedham Vale Mighty Hike

Macmillan Cancer Support

Church services

Sunday 25 July

9.30am Gathered  Eucharist – St Peter’s Boxted

Please also note that for the time being the same procedures will remain in place regarding track and trace, hand sanitising, face coverings etc – any changes will be advised in due course.

A service is still being streamed on the first and third Sundays via zoom and please email lwb.wb.gh.parishes@gmail.com to request details of the zoom link.

Please email  lwb.wb.gh.parishes@gmail.com  with your name and contact details to book a place at any of the services and please remember a mask or face covering.

A recording of zoom services is available from Sunday afternoon at the following link:

https://lb-churches.co.uk/streamed-services/

Please email lwb.wb.gh.parishes@gmail.com if you require further details.

Stephen Armson-Smith
Crime Prevention Tactical Advisor
Essex Police

Summertime Home Security Advice

With the removal of most Covid19 restrictions and as we start to spread our wings a little don’t get complacent with your home security, unfortunately there are those that will take advantage of this newfound freedom to seek opportunities to commit crime.

Even if you are at home, home working or enjoying a ‘staycation’ still consider your home security for as it gets warmer, we get to see a rise in the number of “Creeper Burglaries” where burglars take advantage of open gates, windows and doors. An open or insecure garden gate will provide the thief with access to the back of your home. Before going out or turning in for the night don’t forget to check all doors and windows, someone may have closed it, but did they lock it?

A few tips for keeping your home secure:

• Don’t attract a thief with insecure pedal cycles or cars or gates on display.
• Keep side or rear gates, sheds and garages shut and securely locked.
• Doors – Leave any accessible external door open or insecure and an opportunist thief could pop in and anything lying around would be gone. You may have only popped out, or down the end of the garden or having a quick shower; it only takes a second for a thief to steal. Don’t forget that with a PVCu multi-locking door you may have lifted the handle but until you turn the key (or on some doors a thumb turn on the inside) you have not locked all of the locking bolts in place.
• Windows – If you have unoccupied rooms that are accessible to others from outside or off flat roofs make sure the windows are closed, if you need ventilation in these rooms whilst at home at least lock the larger window and only have the small window open even during the daytime. If you only have bigger opening windows, consider a lockable window restrictor and a small alarm sensor on the window to detect entry. Before going out or ‘turning in for the night’ lift the blinds or open the curtains and check windows and patio doors are closed, the sun may have been on the TV when it was hot, and so the curtains were drawn whilst the window was open.
• If you have an intruder alarm activate it when going out and activate the zone for any unoccupied areas whilst in.
• Car keys – don’t take them to bed with you, where possible leave them in noisy drawer/location. Keep the keyless car fobs in a “Faraday” bag.
• If you do hear a suspicious noise in the house that you are not happy with dial 999 and make a noise, shout out, it could cause any intruder to flee, they may not have known you were home, remember your life is more important than your property. If safe to do so, get a good description of the person/s and if possible the car index number and direction of travel.
• Make sure in case of fire that keys to windows and doors are readily accessible to occupants at all times but not in view of possible burglars

For further crime prevention advice see:. www.essex.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention/ or www.securedbydesign.com/guidance/crime-prevention-advice/ensure-your-home-is-secure

In brief …

Your quick reference guide to newsletter regulars.

St Peter’s Markets plants – raising funds for our local churches. Go to  https://stpetersmarketplace.org/

For all the latest information on opening times, services, special events and what’s for sale, visit https://www.langhamcommunityshop.org.uk/

Mobile library

To keep up to date with the timetable please visit the Mobile Library Service website

Digital help at home

This service is available online. Michael Smith at Colchester Borough Council is still offering digital support via a remote service. See the Council’s webpage  or, for further information.

• Colchester 01206 282 452/ Clacton 01255 686497
• Email:  Digitalaccesssupport@colchester.gov.uk

Useful links:

Boxted Parish Council
Boxted Parish Council on Facebook
Boxted Village Hall
Boxted Village Website
Boxted Neighbourhood Plan
Boxted Primary School
Boxted British Legion

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Newsletter editor: Angela McLauchlan : Design and layout: Shirley Szymanek